Justin Rose’s game and bank account have never been healthier. The Englishman
picked up his second cheque for £1 million in as many events with a victory
over Lee Westwood which highlighted the rudeness of his form.

Fine form: Justin Rose is continuing the good form he displayed at MedinaPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

“Mind-blowing,” was how Rose described his windfall, although he could just as easily have been describing the quality of his golf. After finishing second at last month’s Tour Championship he came to this Turkish Airlines World Golf Final on the back of a fine Ryder Cup and won five matches out of five, seeing off Westwood (twice), Tiger Woods, Hunter Mahan and US Open champion Webb Simpson.

Even that matchplay monster known as Ian Poulter would be impressed. Just as in the crucial singles match against Phil Mickelson at Medinah, Rose delivered the killer blow on the 17th green as Westwood moved to within one shot.

“I’ve come off the back of that win over Phil Mickelson with just great feelings, the most amazing pressure putts of my life,” said Rose. “The 17th has been really good to me this week again. I did think about that putt I made against Phil when I had that 20-footer on the 17th today. I drew on the memory for inspiration.”

The clench of his fist said it all. Rose is not the type to make his eyes bulge, Poulter-style. But his competitive spirit burns just as fiercely. Westwood knew that he was in for a fight.

“I played him in the group stages on Wednesday and he also shot 66 then, so I figured I would need somewhere around there,” Westwood said. “I played well and managed to put him under pressure. But I knew that he was rolling it well on the greens and was full of confidence. Justin showed that against Phil Mickelson.”

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Westwood was 22 under for the week, Rose 21 under, and their class was emphasised in a medal matchplay showdown of genuine distinction. Westwood’s birdie on the 18th restricted the margin to a shot, but he was left to rue a few missed tiddlers. “When it’s this tight it always comes down to the odd putt,” he said. “But I can’t be disappointed with my week. It sets me up for the rest of the season.”

Westwood earned £650,000 for his efforts, taking his earnings in his last two tournaments above the million mark. For the top professionals, the earnings are ridiculous at this time of year.

“I am just lucky to be playing golf in this era,” said Rose, the world No5. “You hear about the silly season and stuff like that. It probably took me seven years at the start of my career to earn what I have from the last two events. Two weeks over seven years – it is stupid isn’t it? But there has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to this point.”

Rose will tee it up again in 12 days at the BMW Masters in Shanghai and then head to the HSBC Champions in Shenzhen. He is 'only’ £380,000 behind Rory McIlroy in the Race To Dubai and is in sight of his second Order Of Merit. With McIlroy looking weary, the run-in could be intriguing.

Despite being more than £1million behind McIlroy, Westwood is not ruling out his own chances. “If I can maintain this form in China and in Dubai then I might have a sniff,” he said. “And clearly the way Justin’s playing he’ll have a big shout.”

The pair will probably return to this region in 13 months when Turkey will host the penultimate leg in the Race To Dubai. This non-sanctioned event was the country’s first foray into big-time golf and with Woods inevitably proving the main attraction it drew big crowds and was a success.

The 78-man Turkish Open next year will raise Antalya’s profile yet further. And expect to see the World Golf Final at another venue. Chubby Chandler, the managing director of International Sports Management, has his eye on the Bahamas, although he realises that if Woods could be secured there would be many interested countries. The silly season is about to get sillier.